Looking to move to Breck/Silverthorne area (Aspen, Dillon: apartments, renter)

[uninc55]

Hello all,

I'm looking for some advice and some wisdom and maybe even some encouragement

I'm 19 years old and love snowboarding. However, I really want and need to get out of New Jersey (just sick of short winters, no snow, crowdedness) after I finish college in 3 years. I have a good friend who lived in Breck for 5 years after leaving NJ after he graduated college as well. I would like to know the necessities (job opportunities, apartment costs, basically how much money I'm going to need to get started out there.) I am in the midst of convincing a friend to come with me and I think, or like to think it will work out that way. Most likely looking for a 2 bed 1 bath apartment. Any information just to give me an idea and give me a heads up as to what it's like out there is greatly appreciated. I plan on taking trip in the winter of 09-10 to check things out.

Thanks guys!

[David Aguilar]

Simple, bring lots of cash $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

You're from NJ, I'm sure you could find some there.


In all seriousness, it won't be cheap. An apartment will probably be (at least) over $1200/mo and I'm sure jobs aren't plentiful, at least not the ones that can pay you enough to afford that solo, so bringing a hard-working friend with you would help.

There are people up there now (on here) that are doing it and I'm sure they'll come along with some advice/eye openers.

[breaksraver13]

What do you do? Are you planning on working for the resort, if so the resorts offer employee dorm style lodging. With two people it is definitely doable.......The rent here is going to be a little expensive.....My last 1br-1ba was $1200, but that included everything - heat, water, cable, electricity........and my current 2br-2ba is $1300, including heat and water.......most condo style places up here are going to include heat and water.........There arn't really any apartments here in Summit just sub-leases.

[wanneroo]

Definitely bring plenty of money. Living costs are much higher up there in every way from the gas you put in your car to the food you eat to the place you live.

Jobs, all depends on what you are willing to do and what you are looking for. In the winter the primary entry level opportunities are service/tourism oriented. Doorman, waitress, shuttle driver, hotel staff, ski hill staff, etc. What I recommend is having a service job you make tips in. In terms of "real jobs", you have to do your time in the valley before getting those opportunities.

Housing, if you come for the winter I would recommend you start figuring it out in the fall. Don't wait into December as it will be tougher and pickings more limited. The larger employers may have employee housing available on a first come first serve basis. I believe my former employers company housing is running at about $550-$675 a month for a bedroom, all utilities and cable included as well as being furnished.

[uninc55]

i definitely love working in the snow industry, as i've been at snowboard/ski shops for the past 5 years. a resort job would also be fine. i am a marketing major in college now as well.

what is a sub-lease like breaksaver mentioned? i'm sorry i just don't know much about apartments and condos yet.
also, are apartments that allow pets, specifically dogs, hard to come by? it seems like everything i'm seeing has a no pets rule.

[wanneroo]

Having pets in ski town rentals is hard to do unless you own the place.

[breaksraver13]

There are no apartments only privately owned condo's that are rented out......you will have to look in the local paper (The Summit Daily), craigslist or a possible property management company.

The no pet's thing is related to all the rentals being private condo's and most condo HOA rules state that only the owner of the condo may have pets not the renter

[ilikefun]

The other posters pretty much covered it, but let me stress that you will need roommates. Everything in Summit is expensive, but that's because it's such a great place to live. Also, the poster above me is dead on about the HOAs and pets. Even if the owner didn't mind if you have pets, most HOA's have rules preventing renters and pets. Of course if you can find a house to rent in Dillon valley or something, then the HOA (if there is even one) probably wouldn't be so strict. I do know there are a few places in Wildernest that allow places to have pets. My friend used to rent in Aspen Shadows with a 130 lb dog and never had a problem. In fact, it seemed like a good amount of people had dogs there, maybe because the HOA was one of the few that didn't mind pets.

[PokerMunkee]

Get your parents to buy a vacation house and rent it out to you super cheap....everyone wins!

[uninc55]

Thanks guys..this is a big help.

Just wondering, what's a good rent price that I should be looking for per month?